Kostanay region continues to implement one of the most significant investment projects in the history of the Kazakh industry — the construction of a KIA car manufacturing plant. The project is being implemented on behalf of the Head of State as part of the tasks of attracting foreign direct investment and developing the machine-building sector.

Visit of the official delegation
The construction process was inspected by Akim of Kostanay region Kumar Aksakalov together with the official delegation of KIA, which included:

Seo Dogen — Vice President/ Director of the KIA Corporation Production Technology Center (Korea)

Im Jae—wu - KIA President for Russia and the CIS

Kim Dae—ki - General Director of KIA Qazaqstan LLP

During the visit, the delegation got acquainted with the current state of construction and installation works, as well as the process of preparing for the launch of high-tech production.

The main parameters of the project
The total cost of the project is USD 200 million.

The share of foreign direct investment is about 80%

The area of the production building is 100,000 sq. m.

The design capacity is 70,000 vehicles per year.

Jobs created — 1,500 people

The project is the first in KIA's history to be implemented outside the Republic of Korea. The future plant will be equipped with the latest technology — 68 industrial robots will be used in production. This will ensure a high level of automation, productivity, and consistent product quality. 80 foreign specialists from South Korea and China are already working at the construction site.

Construction progress
Today:

The construction of the main production building has been completed

The roof and exterior sandwich panels have been installed.

A part of the equipment supplied from South Korea and China has been installed.

Installation work is underway in welding and painting shops.

The construction of external engineering networks (gas, water, electricity, sewerage, communications) has been completed

The construction of railway access roads and highways continues — asphalt concrete pavement has already been laid on two priority sites.

According to the schedule, the pilot assembly of the vehicles is scheduled for July 2025, and the start of mass production is scheduled for October 2025.

Personnel training and development of related industries
Special attention is paid to the training of qualified personnel for new production. New educational directions in five key specialties are being opened in colleges and universities of Kostanay region:

Mechanical engineering technology

Automation and control

Operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment

Metallurgy of ferrous metals

Turning business

Educational institutions receive an updated material and technical base, and students undergo practical training on real production equipment.

In parallel with the main project, the construction of the Localization Center of TEHNOPARK KZ LLP is underway, which will produce automotive components mainly for Kazakhstani car plants, including the KIA plant. This will ensure the deepening of localization, the development of small and medium-sized businesses in industry and strengthen the supply chain in the automotive industry.

The prospects
The implementation of this project brings Kostanay region to a new level of industrial development and strengthens its position as a machine-building center of the country. This includes not only new investments and technologies, but also the creation of sustainable jobs, the formation of technological competencies and a contribution to national industrial growth.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/969258?lang=kk